I have not really said much about the whole TechNigga ‘controversy’ and now I will throw in my 2 cents into the shuffle, lost in the din and clatter of all the ‘racist’ and ‘anti-racist’ speak. If you’ve had your head in the rocks, or have just been avoiding the situation, TechNigga was a video-parody by 1938media’s Loren Feldman, who, because of the video, Valleywag called ‘The Don Imus of Silicon Valley.’

I’d like to preface this by three simple statements.

1. Perception = Reality, especially in the United States of America. The way you perceive yourself, is exactly the reality you have then created, altering your paradigm to be viewed through that lens. Your perception is your reality, but it is not necessarily the reality of the situation.

2. You can’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. I don’t understand how people all over the tech blogosphere are arguing about the integrity or character of a few choice individuals. This concept to me, is actually quite laughable, the idea that you can accurately have a bead on a man or woman based on one video, one blog post, one photo, one e-mail conversation is frankly quite absurd. Relationships are very dynamic and complex. People, are very dynamic and complex, and it often times takes several days — but more often months and years — to truly get to know somebody.

3. As a good friend of mine used to say — ‘I am very racist. I believe in the human race, and very much prefer humans over any other race or species.’

I was recently moved to speak after reading Hank Williams ‘The 2008 Definition of Racism‘ and also ‘Self-righteous protesters kill video blogger’s deal with Verizon‘ written by the Industry Standard’s Jason Golson.

Both of them, while clearly passionate, both miss the marks of what I believe to be their common goal — moving the ball forward, honestly and opaquely in a calm, collected, open dialogue.

Hank, who writes from the perspective as an older, wiser blogger who has been around during the civil rights movement, argues that racists are now anonymous and underground, and that the term racist has been sanded down such that only an act of extreme and palpable racism can be called such:

Unlike in 1964, the year I was born, today few people are comfortable being labeled as racist. The successful tactics of protesting, boycotting, and social and pressure have been incredibly effective in applying shame to the label.

Unfortunately, in demonizing, racism, we have done two things. First we have driven the unrepentant racists underground, and into anonymity. And second, we have sanded down the meaning of the term so substantially that almost no acts committed by those outside the underground anonymous can be categorized as such.

He’s also concerned about those who say that the video was not ‘a big deal:’

But the most troubling group to me, as I discussed on Monday, are the ones that just don’t think this kind of material is a big deal. They believe blacks are too “thin skinned” about this stuff. “What’s the big deal, it’s all in fun.” Or to protest is violating Feldman’s right to free speech. This group fascinates me, and as far as I can tell, it a not inconsequential percentage of the tech blogosphere.

And although he is right when he says ‘words matter,’ he concludes that racism is more than the obvious hate, but the subtle words and actions, accepted and defended by his peers and fellow countrymen.

This was my (first) response:

Hank,

At the end of the day, I feel this article does nothing to push the conversation forward.

There are two reactions to be had to this — affirmative or negative, and for obvious reasons one would expect there to be a lot more affirmations than negations.

This whole racism meme is well overplayed — it’s not that it does not matter, it’s just that it doesn’t, won’t, and shouldn’t have that great effect on anyone.

In this epoch of human history, it is a times painful (and at the low point in the last several hundred years, VERY painful) to be a black. The recent era in the years ensuing the civil rights movement, it is very livable in the United States as a black. The internet is no exception — you can start a web business, you can earn money, you can profit, you can secure a liquidity event, you can blog, you can comment, you can generate user content, you can connect with friends, you can peruse, you can browse, you can learn.

The internet is not restrictive to black people, just as it is not restricted to most of the western world.

What new pain point are you solving for then? You personally have been very irritated by a) the actions of a few and b) the reactions of many who felt that the actions of the few were not a big deal.

The pain point to me seems to be your emotions and reactions and does precious little to generate noteworthy conversation that will move the buck forward. It is simply a type of discussion where the ‘good’ people affirm, and the ‘bad’ people (probably anonymously) negate whatever you have said.

There is no idea generation, no problem to be solved, just one man of one color with a big axe to grind in light of the personal context of his history.

In an interesting action, Jason posted a comment on Friendfeed, that incited some interesting dialogue, asking ‘where are the prominent black tech bloggers,’ the Scobles and Arringtons of the tech world

To this I replied:

“I think the most important thing is in fact not to distinguish by skin color, gender, eye color, or any other physical characteristic.

Om Malik is a well-known blogger. Is he a well-known Indian (guessing) blogger, or is he just a well-known blogger. Mike Arrington is a well-known blogger. Not a well-known WHITE blogger, but just a well-known blogger and entrepreneur.

Is Will Smith a well-known actor, or a well-known black actor? Judging by the success of all his movies (he has the $100 million golden touch) I would say he is a well-known actor, regardless of his skin color.

The more you focus on any physical or genetic distinction, the more you miss the big picture. America is about equal opportunity. Not just on websites and employer contracts, but that for many from all over the world of whatever background, America levels the playing field. Is it perfectly level? Of course not. Never in history has everyone been born into an equal situation, even in all-white societies, all-red societies, or all-black societies and cultures.

We don’t focus on color except when it comes to blacks. I rarely see commenting or post concerning Om being Indian, Jeremiy Owyang being Korean (i’m guessing), or Loic being French.

Don’t miss the forest for the trees.”

And Hank tells me:

I fear you are too young, too sheltered, and too “internationalized” given your family background, to have an accurate perspective on what race really means in this country. Like Clarence Thomas, inadvertently or otherwise, you serve here as an apologist for those who wish to make racially (or religiously, or sexually) driven policy or perspectives acceptable, which is truly unfortunate.

To which I respond as such:

Hank,

I’ve been discriminated against by parents of a white girlfriend, friends and family of a Puerto Rican girlfriend, slandered and spited in my travels to the Dominican Republic, and singled out in the Army — all for the color of my skin.

I’m young, sure, and I’ve been to a few countries, black, white, Latino, and others, and have seen a few things in the World, as well in this country.

I’ve stayed in Camden, NJ — the worst city in the US a few years running — Baltimore, and also towns where the make-up was mostly White — Boulder and my home town.

While it’s great for you to presume that you understand where I’m coming from given a post you read and a brief meeting, you are far off the mark.

For a black to tell a black who has lived his whole life in this country that he does not understand ‘what race really means’ in this country is absolutely absurd. Do you think people look at me and think ‘here comes an African — his parents flew on a plane and didn’t come in slave ships.’

For 99% of the American populous, black=black, and for this reason I am speaking out. I fear many will take your words as the words of ‘the black guy’ — the Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton who sits on Fox News or CNN, and is the voice of the black people. I want to make it clear to those on the web that you are not the voice of the black people, but rather the voice of one man, deeply conflicted who has seen much through a certain taint, good or bad.

I will say that in this flick, you are the angry black man that every movie-goer knows to watch for — the one who is easily offended, defiant, rebellious, and generally violent.

Physically, maybe not so, but it is clear that this issue wears deep to your soul.

The more you talk about ‘race’ the deeper the hole you are digging. Instead of being defined as American, or as an entrepreneur, or as a blogger, you are caging yourself in, being defined by the color of your skin, something so inherent and hereditary, it takes generations to strike from your line.

It’s not about being a ‘black tech blogger’ or a ‘tech black blogger who happens to be black’ it’s about the inability to see the forest for the trees.

When you think about Obama, do you think about him as the democratic nominee for President of the United States, or do you think of him as the BLACK candidate for President of the United States.

The distinction is very important. Your perception defines your reality, and I believe, unfortunately, that in this case your perception, your paradigm, is severely tilted.

One of his technology advisors is an advisor for my startup. He is White, probably of Polish descent for his last name. When he became an advisor as a startup for my team (which also features another black guy) it wasn’t about charity, it wasn’t about his color, and it most certainly was not about my color.

That is the whole point I’m trying to make, the forest I want to paint for you, that you miss for the trees.

It’s not about being black, and the more you make it so, the worse it is for blacks everywhere. The more people think of Obama as a ‘black’ President and not just the ‘President’ (if he were to be elected) is worse for this country.

As one who has grown up around racists and race-neutral people alike, I can guarantee you the best multi-cultural relationships that foster community, collaboration, and friendship happen from those who are color-blind.

Oh they may realize you are black, or I may realize they are white, yellow, or red, but it’s not the White Elephant in the room, it’s simply not an issue. It’s about who you are and what you bring to the table as a human being.

I understand your zeal, I understand that you were raised in a time that may have pre-dated some of the commenters and writers (including myself), and I certainly understand that you come from a different paradigm and worldview than many of us –including me myself.

This is why I say your conversation is not moving the buck forward — it is not moving the buck forward for black people, or any other minority or ‘oppressed’ group that suffers for a pre-determined physical, hereditary, or social characteristic.

I don’t know Loren Feldman. He could be racist, he could not be racist. His friends suggest that it was satire to prove a point — and I think by the discussion this has generated, his point was well taken. I’d like to give people the benefit of the doubt and think that he is a good guy who likes to poke fun at people, and like anyone who likes to poke fun at people will oft do, some of those he pokes fun of do not like it at all.

My reaction to the video?

My point is that it does not matter. It does not change my life for the better or for the worse. His words matter. My words matter. All our words matter. But watching the video I thought it a ridiculous caricature given by the point of view of someone who either a) doesn’t like black people or b) doesn’t know that many black people, or c) knows black people and doesn’t realize that some (possibly many) will be offended..

Thought I often talk about certain issues from the point of view of a black person (such as my most popular writing, ‘Why Black Nerds are Unpopular.’ but I like to speak from the educational point of view. I think that is what I find so disappointing about Hank’s post.

While I completely understand his sentiments, I don’t see how taking a hardline stance against a video like this is a long-term win for anybody. I’ve always found, that when dealing with those who have a predisposed paradigm that causes them to view (insert here___________ ; black people, homosexuals, females, Indians, Mexicans, illegal immigrants, et. al) in a negative light, usually one around intelligence and the ability to put out top-notch work, whether in business, a certain field, or school…(deep breath) the best thing to do is to shut them up.

I strongly believe that in America, unless someone is visibly infringing upon your right to pursue your own endeavors, dreams, and goals, the best practice is just to let it go.

Let.It.Go.

We, black men and white woman, brown gay and red atheist, yellow muslim and pink Christian — we are all one human race.

It’s my hope, that as one of the nations that so violently adheres to the ‘one nation’ principle, we would bury our axes, and live our own lives without the distraction to the left or to the right…

and try to walk a mile in each other’s shoes’.

via Washington Post

1938 Media’s distribution deal with Verizon, announced just a week ago, is history.

Yesterday a group of “civil rights activists” protested the deal and threatened to boycott Verizon. The reason? A 2007 video that Feldman created called ” TechNigga” that the groups say is racist.

The video was not included on Verizon, and television reports that Verizon financed the video are incorrect. But Feldman confirmed to me that all 1938 Media videos were removed by Verizon yesterday and that they terminated the relationship today.

There is almost certainly a back story to this that may unwind over the coming days. Feldman has been in the spotlight recently for a set of puppet videos that originally mocked new media consultant Shel Israel (and later others including me, Loic LeMeur and Dave Winer). A lot of people were angry with Feldman over the parodies (and I drew criticism for covering the story) - and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone helped organize the early stages of this protest.

So what’s your opinion? Is the video racist? Should Verizon have stood by Feldman? Tell us in the comments.

Loren Feldman of the often rant-heavy blog 1938 Media has decided to see if people will be willing to pay for the occassional post, to the tune of $.99.

“Why am I doing this? Because I want to. It’s an experiment. I know that most of 99 percent of you aren’t going to pay 99 cents ever. So it goes. But you know what? Content has to be paid for at some point.” (via CNet)

I definitely think this is an interesting and worthwhile experiment but I am not convinced that Loren is providing enough value for the fee.  His videos are pretty rough and his posts are interesting but rarely worth more than, say, a copy of both NY dailies.

It would be interesting to see if he tried a pay-what-you-like scheme.  Anyhow, here’s his explanation:

What an amazing weekend I had at Mahalo headquarters. The auditions have taken us through various reality show type challenges. It started with a basic preliminary interview, then we entered American Idol and then the Bachelor.

My preliminary interview went well and I was passed on to the second round. I did a mock interview in front of Jason Calacanis and two celebrity judges, Alex Albrecht of Diggnation and Loren Feldman of 1938 Media. The overall consensus was that I needed more energy. Alex didn’t think I pop’d enough for him so he gave me a no. Luckily, Jason and Loren gave me a yes! I must admit…the combination of streaming live the entire 4 hours leading up to the mock interview mixed with my nerves…my energy was low. You can watch this part of the audition here.

Sunday, the top 10 met back up for a new challenge. We had five minutes to interview people “man on the street” style. This was a fun and easy challenge for me. I think this will truly show who has the chops for this job. The nerves were gone for me and I just had FUN! (and lots of energy)

The judges will review the footage and announce the top 5 on Thursday. I am really looking forward to the next phase (fingers crossed). The top 5 get to produce/host a full Mahalo Daily episode. Well, nothing makes me happier than doing the actual work that I love! Check out my seesmics if you want to see my updates throughout the weekend.

It appears the front runner in this race is Lisa Brewster. I met Lisa almost immediately on Saturday. She is a very smart, tech savvy gal who doesn’t have on-camera experience but is clearly a quick learner. Lisa announced her campaign for the job and called for a “Lisa Nation” to help support her on her blog. I’m sure people are waiting for me to do the same but I announced my campaign before Mahalo Vlog Idol was even announced.

I am a true believer in letting the work speak for itself. I think it is clear that I know this industry and am a part of this online community. And those that have gotten to know me well, know that I truly love this community. Its awesome that Lisa asked for people to comment on a flickr picture, what a great idea. I’m glad my network of supporters jumped on my pic as well but I also have a large network of supporters who aren’t flickr members. They are your average internet users that need Mahalo.com and will follow me to Mahalo Daily. Lets not forget about them.

The fact is, I’m the only girl in this competition that has the blend of on-camera experience and web savviness. I feel I compliment the Mahalo brand and would love to have the opportunity to bring my quirky style to their daily podcast. I just hope my work speaks for itself!

Chartreuse on the Shel Israel/Loren Feldman controversy. Feldman’s review on Israel’s show. Matt Craven’s writeup on the incidents. Feldman’s registered Shelisrael.com and is posting puppet caricatures of Shel’s shows. Shel responds.

I had a good laugh today when I turned off the talking heads on The McLaughlin Group and checked out the well-thought post by Matt Craven on the Shel Israel/Loren Feldman fight.

I won’t go into details about what’s happening except to say that it’s funny.

In so many ways.

One of the unsaid facts about now is that you don’t really have to know anything.

You can Google “video tips” and learn to make acceptable videos in 10 minutes (15 if read slow).

The fact that a guy with the name Fast Company behind him creates allegedly (I haven’t seen them. No chicks.) boring, badly produced videos is sad and funny.

In so many ways.

Actually internet video turf fights are going on all over.

I hungrily devoured the Andrew Baron post recently about the sexism of Wallstrip and the resulting Twitter fight between the Wallstrip crew and Andrew.

It didn’t get Techmeme traction but still fun reading.

(Note I have seen both shows. Smart chicks.)

These resulting arguments are, of course, good for all involved.

Not because of any agreement they might bring to the space.

But because of the attention it brings.

The rap game taught a generation that the best way to get attention (which, of course, is internet currency) is to take sides and make (a lot) of noise.

What we have in the blogosphere is the generation that grew up on Tupac vs. Biggie playing the same game in their universe.

Unfortunately Shel seems to have grown up on Laurence Welk putting him at an obvious disadvantage.

In so many ways.

More on Julia Allison. After closing her blog today and viewing this by Feldman, I’m sure she’ll get all of the attention that she desires. I thought the whole lip dub BS that she was doing totally sucked ass, but that’s just me. Maybe people actually like that kind of shit.

When the emails started coming to me about the Loren Feldman situation I did what any good friend would do: I ignored it and hoped his blood wouldn’t end up on my shirt (I also left a comment on Valleywag but who reads that?)

But since I was planning the new season of this blog I felt I could and should do more.

Despite the fact that he runs a thriving video production business and produces scores of online shows I offered him his old gig back here at Chartreuse (beta) .

Even though this blog averaged several thousand views a day (even while on hiatus) and it’s a privilege to work here despite the low pay and lack of benefits, he turned me down.

He seems to think that his future lies in his own projects instead of following my magnanimous lead.

Because of the lack of Site Security on this blog, I ask that you all please follow the golden rule (…jeez…look it up here) when it comes to blog comments until we can get the situation rectified.

Let’s keep comments like this to a minimum, please. We love free speech but the new season of this blog abhors bad spelling.

And as for Mr. Feldman, we wish him the best and pass along the number to our dry-cleaner.

It was, of course, no accident that I decided to relaunch this season of this blog (after a Sopranos-long hiatus) with a reference to Gia Carangi.

Astute readers will remember that she was a chick who became famous being herself.

She lived her short but eventful life like a rock star, enjoying the vices of the age but dying tragically.

There’s something apropos about that in this flat age where opportunities abound and simple mistake could have your company a used-to-ran in days.

It also didn’t hurt that her life was made into a movie staring Angelina Jolie.

Though I wasn’t blogging I spent a lot of time paying attention.

Really.

I think I have some interesting insights and even more interesting stories for you about this new media stuff and my exes. I have some cool ideas for this season.

But what I am most looking forward to are the ideas and thoughts from you guys, the readers.

That’s what made this place kick ass in the first place.

Thanks for stopping by.

And pay attention.

please.

p.s.- anyone seen my security guy?

As promised, starting today I will be running the videos made by the team which we sent to New Orleans. I have a total of 9 (I think it’s 9) videos to show you. They are all different lengths, some are interviews, some are montages, some are specific stories. I won’t be showing them all today but I will be showing one. This one was edited by Loren Feldman.

When I was sent to New Orleans the first thing I did was hit the
streets. The streets are where the people are, and the people know
what’s going on in their city better than any government official or
MSM person ever will. Since the people are the most important part of
a city I felt it was appropriate that we start with them first. In
the coming days we will also be presenting interviews with some
individual leaders in the city, but it’s always about the people first.-Loren Feldman

ipod/mp4 version

We think it’s the lens.

But sometimes we’re the one out of focus.

So I’m spending Friday night with a bottle of wine, some girl with a fake name and Bill Maher.

He mentions the fact that the “free Speech” segment on the CBS Nightly news asked him if he had something to say.

He wanted to talk about religion.

They told him he couldn’t talk about that.

So much for “Free Speech.”

Free Speech is not a privilege, it’s a right.

I don’t have to agree with you but I do have to stand up for your right to say it.

Unfortunately too many people want other folks to shut up, making it uncomfortable for other folks to stand up.

I also watched the new Survivor this week.

I loved it. But I don’t know if the rest of the country will.

Of course the Asians won the puzzle challenge, of course the Black people kicked out the strong male and of course the White guy was completely confused why he got exiled after stealing other people’s shit.

Even as individuals we are sometimes slaves to things we can’t control.

Starting Monday I am going to be running video from the trip to New Orleans some of the readers (and myself) financed.

Both Travis and Loren saw the same things but each put together their own versions of the same story. Some of it will be shocking. Some of it will be typical. But I think the entire thing is arresting.

Will it make a difference?

Probably not, but that’s not the point.

The point is that we are privileged to live in a world and at a time where you can broadcast your views to almost everyone.

There are so many of us.

And we all have different views and opinions.

I hope this project inspires you to stand up and tell yours.

No matter what Katie Couric thinks.

Over the next few days I’m going to be posting some of what the team I sent to New Orleans found.

Though I didn’t go personally the subject of New Orleans is very dear to me.

I think what is happening there now is one of the great tragedies of our time and one that we, as a nation, should be disappointed in allowing.

Myself and others involved in this project have gotten bashed, called names, and other shit.

I (mostly) stayed quiet and decided to let the results speak for themselves.

You’ll start seeing them this week.

Back in the Day, Diane told me about Thursday being the new Friday. I was down with that but forgot about it.

Tim Stay inadvertently reminded me when he sent me this clip. (Let the weekend begin!)

One of the absolute worse things about MySpace is going to a page and being blasted by a song you don’t like. Andy S. solves that problem, inadvertently making me want to go back to MySpace and visit my three friends.

Gary Webb was the investigative reporter who linked the CIA, Nicaragua and the US Crack epidemic. Read how that inadvertently destroyed his career.

Adam went with Mom on ‘Bring Your Kid To Work Day’ and inadvertently found out why he wants to work at home.

This Paris Hilton story inadvertently got me thinking about this story. Maybe it was the part about restaurants.

The New York housing market inadvertently gave us a sneak peek at Nathan’s piece for Audience 2.0

Noah Brier inadvertently led me to YouTube today and this P Diddy videoblog post. That got me thinking about my brother’s videoblog which is, to me, a bit more interesting.Which took me back to Noah Brier. Jeez!

So that, inadvertently, brings me to the end of this post. But since I’m now dizzy, I’ll end with another KnowMoreMedia video clip.

On purpose.

I want to continue a conversation started by Noah Brier.

I find it interesting that a lot of people seem to think that the success of social networks has to do with connecting people.

Connecting people is cool but despite what everyone says that’s not why masses of people flock to Tagworld.

They really just want to be famous.

No one makes a MySpace page for themselves.

They make them for others.

They want attention.

Pay attention to me and I’ll pay attention to you.

I’m working on a series of viral ads for a company called LifeLock.

Above is just the rough cut but what makes it interesting to me, (why I think it’s good) is that it provides attention for MySpacers, Diggers, YouTubers, etc. (which is why people join that stuff in the first place) and it creates trust in a company you never heard of.

Each ‘ad’ will list links to the pages of the individuals in the ads and one to a page explaining what Lifelock is.

Oh, and anyone can make a Lifelock ad and get paid for it.

I’m not the only one thinking like this.

Smart companies are thinking about how to exploit all the power of all these individuals to sell shit. Smarter companies are being set up to bridge that gap between individuals and the companies that need them.

This Army of One shit is real.

Everyone really is Terrell Owens.

The next New York Times is some guy in the suburbs of New Jersey.

The next Entertainment Tonight is led by some blond named Brooke.

The next Chappelle Show is being made by some white kids in the suburbs.

The next CNN will be annouced later today.

And the next Enron may be the guy next door.

[if you want to be in our series of Lifelock ads email me]

.

It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles in the Arizona desert?

Howard Stern's Beth O talks about her new TV Show

Starked Takes On Minimum Wage

Band The Cool Kids Are Talking About: Cute Is What We Strive For

Clips from the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie Namabia Press Conference

The Good Word

The above ad has cause a proverbial shit storm of controversy after it ran in a progressive magazine. Check out the comments.

A few weeks ago Tyme White bought up an example of some TechCrunch shenanagins. Brian Adam Kelsey points out some more TechCrunch Hypocrisy

Celebrity 2.0 :An interview with Mario Lavandeira, more known as the blogger behind PerezHilton.com.

Connie Chung: What Happened?

Reaction To The MySpace Lawsuit

Advertising On Social Networks

Know Howard Lindzon? Well my head of security found him roaming the streets of New York and asked him some questions.

Did you have enough of Jeremy Wright after his 2 hour chat with Beyonce last week? I hope not because here he is again, this time with a Blog Herald interview.

Adam links to a stablized copy of the Zapruder film, showing the Kennedy Assasination in a new light.

Smart Girl Liz teaches you how to spot trends and climb hills.

Bob Lefsetz compares his life to A.J.'s on the Sopranos. 

Today is not a good day to be David Krug.

Future ex-wife Angelique discusses Feel Good Songs.

Jason Boog performs at the WYSIWYG Talent Show (note to Jason: VIDEO!)

Half of Namibians believe the day Angelina Jolie gives birth should be declared a national holiday. I actually thought that that was already announced…

Speaking of me, I have a few interviews coming up that are going to be totally hot.

Like what if Angelina Jolie was president hot.

I have truly outdone myself.

Really.

One more thing. Have you taken the blogging survey,yet?